SH-Lughnasadh

Summary

SH-Lughnasadh

Calendar

Fire Festivals

Date

Feb 02 Every year

Description

Lammas/Lughnasadh (pronounced loo-na-sa), on August 1 and the preceding eve or on the full moon nearest the midpoint between the summer solstice and autumnal equinox., during the time of the harvesting.. the festival of the first wheat harvest of the year. a feast to commemorate the funeral games (Tailtean Games) of Tailtiu, foster-mother of the Irish sun-god Lugh. Lugnasadh was one of the four main festivals of the medieval Irish calendar: Imbolc, Beltaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain. No fixed calendar date could exist because the Celtic calendar was based on the lunar, solar, and vegetative cycles. Lughnasadh marked the beginning of the harvest season and was therefore a festival of celebrating Mother Earth and the abundance of nature. Lughnasadh translates as /"Lugh`s wedding/" and was dedicated to Lugh, a Sun God of Celtic mythology. Lughnasadh festivals lasted from 15 July until 15 August. Aside from three days of religious rituals, the celebrations were a time for contests of strength and skill. In Ireland during the Middle Ages, important Lughnasa celebrations were held at Taltiu (modern Teltown) and Carmun (whose exact location is under dispute). Both locations are named for women who appear to be localized manifestations of the earth goddess.